Scabies Prevention Impetigo Scabies is caused by a mite which To limit the spread of impetigo, pink buries itself under the top layer of eye, ringworm and scabies, follow skin. You may be able to see lines these suggestions. (burrows) or circles (nodes) where the mite has gone under the skin. Scabies causes a severe itch that usu- ally gets worse at night. You can • Wash hands often. have scabies anywhere on the body, but it is common on the wrists, hands • Use separate towels and thighs. and washcloths. Pink Eye

Scabies is usually spread by skin-to- • Avoid close contact with skin contact. It can also be spread by an infected person. sexual contact, or contact with items, that an infected person uses (con- • Launder contaminated taminated belongings), like sheets and towels. It can take as long as 2-6 items in hot water and weeks between the time you are ex- use a hot dryer. posed to scabies and the time itching starts. • Check all family members for signs of illness. Ringworm If you think that a child has scabies, call your doctor. He can confirm the • You may have to treat all illness and tell you what treatment to family members. follow. A child with scabies should be kept out of school until 24 hours after treatment starts.

In hot water, wash all bedding and clothing and then dry in a hot dryer. Scabies For items that cannot be washed, place Kent County Health Department them in a sealed plastic bag for 4-5 700 Fuller Avenue, NE days. The mite will not live outside Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503 the human body for that long.

Copies of this brochure are available on the Kent County Health Department web site at www.co.kent.mi.us/health/publications.htm 11/93 Infectious Conjunctivitis Impetigo (Pink Eye) Ringworm

Parents often think that impetigo is The disease commonly known as pink Ringworm causes slightly-raised, fever blisters or cold sores. The infec- eye is the swelling of the mucous itchy, ring-shaped sores. These sores tion usually appears near the mouth, lining of the eyelids and eyeball. The can appear anywhere on the body. starting as a thin blister, full of fluid. lids become red and swollen. There Ringworm is not caused by a worm, The blister gets bigger and the fluid may also be a thick yellow discharge. but a fungus. forms a thick crust. Impetigo is also Usually both eyes are involved, and often found on the hands. It then symptoms appear about 36 hours Ringworm is spread by skin-to-skin may be spread to the rest of the body after infection. contact or by contact with items used by scratching. by an infected person (contaminated Pink eye is spread by direct contact belongings) such as towels, clothing, Impetigo is spread by contact with with the discharge from the eye or by and floors. the secretion (fluid) from the sores or contact with items used by an in- by contact with items used by an fected person (contaminated belong- If you think that a child has ring- infected person (contaminated be- ings) like towels, tissues, or clothing. worm, call your doctor. He can con- longings), like towels or sheets. firm the illness and tell you what If you think that a child has pink eye, type of medication to use. In general, If you think that a child has impetigo, call your doctor. Pink eye can lead to a child should be kept out of school call your doctor. He can confirm the serious injury to the eyes if not treated. until 24 hours after treatment starts. illness, and tell you what treatment Your doctor will tell you what treat- However, if the sores can be covered to follow. A child should be kept ment to follow. A child should be by a bandage or clothing, a child can home until treatment starts. kept home until 24 hours after treat- remain in school. ment has begun or when discharge Be sure to wash all contaminated from the eyes stops. Be sure to wash all contaminated items in hot water and dry in a hot items in hot water and dry in a hot dryer. Be sure to wash all contaminated dryer. items in hot water and dry in a hot dryer.